DISADVANTAGED and excluded groups from the Bridport area are being given the opportunity to learn about horticulture and cookery.

The West Dorset Food and Land Trust has been awarded funding for a four-month pilot project at the Bridport Centre for Local Food.

The award through the South West Foundation and the Solid Foundations Programme aims to provide vocational training for excluded young people; volunteering, mentoring and training opportunities for the 50-plus; to improve life and social skills, self esteem and community involvement; to develop new skills, work experience and career guidance.

The project is for people who are unemployed or working less than 16 hours. It will focus on young people aged 16-25 and those younger who have been excluded from education, lone parents, people living in rural isolation and women seeking to return to work.

The project will involve people aged 50 or over as mentors and volunteers.

Jackie Wolfe, of West Dorset Food and Land Trust, said she was delighted to launch the project next week at the centre for local food in St Michaels Lane.

She is hoping for as much community involvement as possible to take the project forward.

The trust will be holding two open mornings at the centre on Tuesday and Wednesday between 10am and 1pm.

Project co-ordinator Martin Biss said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for local people to share skills and experience either in the kitchen or on the community allotment.

"Anyone wishing to find out more about the project should come along to either of the open mornings to find out how they can be involved in this pilot project."